‘He built hope’: How Jimmy Carter made a lasting impact through Habitat
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - If you’ve heard of Habitat for Humanity, it may be because of Jimmy Carter.
While the former president from Georgia didn’t create Habitat, he was a huge piece of what the group does across the country, right up until he just recently entered hospice.
Through his work with Habitat and other efforts, Carter got down on the level of those in the community to meet people where they were, and help those who need it the most.
Carter is ed for many things, but Habitat for Humanity says most importantly for them, he’s ed as a true humanitarian.
“He didn’t just build homes, he built hope, built community and everything we stand for,” said Bernadette Kelliher, Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity CEO.
The former president had an impact difficult to measure and was a lasting inspiration.
“They didn’t just say the words, they were out there doing the work every day, showing people that no matter what age they were, how they were growing, or who they were, you’re the president of the United States of America and you’re out there building homes and I think it’s inspirational for anyone,” said Kelliher.
Carter and his wife Rosalynn spent decades volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
“They weren’t out in front of us, they weren’t behind. They were beside us, doing the work,” said Kelliher. “Helping the people bringing awareness to affordable housing at a time where people weren’t really paying attention to that.”
And they worked tirelessly, making building homes their life’s mission.
“He was out there,” said Kelliher. “He fell and hit his head and showed up at the work site with a black eye. He did what he said he was going to do and he put action behind the words and that is inspirational.”
Augusta/ CSRA Habitat for Humanity has built, renovated and restored 84 homes since its start in 1986.
Homes like the one on Richmond Hill Road make Carter’s dreams a reality.
Where and when former President Jimmy Carter will be buried
The 39th president of the United States will be laid to rest next to his wife at the same place where he grew up and ran a peanut farm in Plains.
“We are doing more than building a house,” said Kelliher. “We’re creating change in people’s lives, we’re creating a new trajectory for their lives and it’s just such a joy and an honor to be entrusted with that.”
Habitat for Humanity credits the Carters for putting the organization on the map.
“Given who the Carters are, it just gives a whole new life to what you’re doing, and it doesn’t just help the , they’re standing next to. it helps every single one. so from international down to all of the s in georgia and everywhere across the world, it’s it’s amazing to watch.”>
“They say they plan to make sure Carter’s legacy lives on in the CSRA.
Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity says there will be a door placed in a couple of days at their restore and they invite the community to come sign the door in his memory.
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We also talked with local people when Carter went into hospice care over a year ago.
For Stephanie Bolton, the dream of raising her four boys in a safe community and home is now a reality.
“This process just allowed me to be a part of something that I didn’t think that I could be a part of, to build my home from the ground up,” she said.
She says the legacy Carter planted more than 30 years ago, meeting community where they are and assessing their needs, is still impacting families like hers all these years later.
“You don’t normally have presidents or anyone coming out and building homes and just interacting that interaction with other people that you don’t ordinarily have,” said Bolton.
And that is how Carter’s legacy will live on here in Augusta.
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